Now in the second year of the up-and-coming, student-led program, Trigg County’s “Voice of the Wildcats” is taking initiatives in a needed direction.
During Thursday’s Board of Education meeting, Wildcats in junior Sadie Utter and sophomore Alex Smith noted that their passion project for this semester is targeting mental health awareness within the walls — and specifically regarding students.
Utter said such a campaign would uplift people now, during a time when most students need it.
The efforts will push from multiple fronts — from social media blasts, to sharing the new “988” national suicide prevention hotline, to random acts of kindness and other forms of physical support.
Smith said students “don’t have to feel alone.”
Comprised of 14 students of different ages, ethnicity and personal backgrounds, the group meets every fourth Thursday of the month with Superintendent Bill Thorpe — to discuss a wide range of issues surrounding the school system.
They also have spent, and will continue to spend, personal time working on volunteer projects in the community — involving things like school tours, teacher appreciation outreach, public speaking engagements, and assisting with next spring’s highly-anticipated Cadiz Radio Rotary Auction.
Thorpe said it’s a “really good group.”
Board member Charlene Sheehan applauded the push for mental health.
Utter and Smith both said the students in the school have already taken some steps to improve overall mental health not exclusive to the club — including SOS Club.
However, this could provide even more support.
This year’s “Voice of the Wildcats” team also includes Maela Skinner, Ivey Redd, Chloe Kacou, Matt Alex Ladd, Maddison Reed, Jamie Lynn Hestand, Rebecca Dawson, Raven Ladd, Riley Thompson, Slaton Carter, Tay’Shaun Linton and Ashley Geary.
